< svianalytica - Sample Preparation

Sample Preparation

Vulcan is the first automated workstation combining the two essential steps of sample preparation -Digestion and Work-up. It is the only true automation accepting samples and returns prepared autosampler racks ready to be analysed.

Offers:

  • Freedom from manual acid handling and exposure to acid fumes
  • Substantial cost savings in sample analysis expenditure
  • Contamination free environment for trace level sample preparation.
  • Overcomes inconsistencies and uncertainties introduced by repetitive and tedious process.
  • Increase in laboratory throughput.
  • Saves prime lab space with smart inbuilt fume hood.
  • Documentation of sample preparation processes
  • Effective use of skilled manpower through unattended operations
  • Provides safe and healthy work environment
  • Processing of 84 samples in 50 ml vials.
  • Automatic and precise addition of corrosive acids, reagents and internal standard.
  • Multistep heating of hot blocks.
  • Makeup volume at the end of digestion.
  • Stirring of sample during the process.
  • Cooling digestion vials between reagent additions.
  • Transferring and diluting samples to autosampler racks
  • Can handle two digestion recipes at same time

Heating (Hot Blocks):

  • Capable of heating up to 400º C.
  • Hot blocks available to accommodate 15, 25, 50 and 100 ml digestion vials
  • Vilas available in Teflon, Glass and Polypropylene material.
  • Customise hot block available to accept specific size and shape of digestion vessel.
  • Teflon® coated graphite block and housing to prevent contamination.
  • Anodised Aluminum Block for higher temperature applications
  • Choice of All-plastic housing for extreme corrosion resistance
  • Unparalleled Temperature homogeneity of 1.50 C across the block

Post Digestion Sample Work-up:

Makeup Volume:

Sample levels are monitored for individual vials using non contact level sensor. Peristaltic pump fills in quickly major amount for desired level. Accurate Syringe pump dispensing and level sensor monitoring is used in achieving final level. This unique combination of syringe and peristaltic pump helps speed up process with out losing accuracy.

Dilutions and Sample Transfer:

With the help of Teflon coated Carbon Fibre probe and Sample loop samples are picked up, stored, diluted and transferred to autosampler racks. Sample Probe and Loop is thoroughly cleaned externally and internally between each sample processing. It is possible to generate multiple dilutions for one sample in one go.

Cooling:

Pneumatically driven acid resistant Tray Lift brings samples out of hot blocks. Tray Lift is placement forces cool air to pass over the vials, bring them rapidly to room temperature for multiple reagent additions and Volume Make-up.

Stirring:

Vigorous mixing of sample is effected through rapid stream of air bubbles. Duration of mixing for each sample can be set as per need.

Wash Station:

Two Chambered wash station is used for cleaning the probes between two sample. Wash station has two separate peristaltic pumps circulating clean water for efficient cleaning.

Dispensing Reagents

  • Accurate and consistent reagent delivery for acids and reagents through dedicated lines.
  • Capable of handling corrosive acids like HF, H2SO4 and HClO4.
  • Deliver reagents and acids as required by each sample in a single run, thus can handle multiple types of samples at one time
  • Can configured to dispense reagents in multiple vials to increase the speed.

  • 6 individually operated syringes
  • Teflon syringe to handle HF acid
  • All Teflon values and fittings to provide inert environment
  • Programmed to dispense precise amounts from 6 syringes at same time
  • Designed for ease of mounting and replacement

  • 8 individually operated pumps
  • Accurate delivery over wide range of flow rate
  • Specialised design to provide Low drift in the flow rate
  • Gentle pulsing to provide steady flow and accurate control on volume
  • Good repeatability in low volume dispensing
  • Operate in dispense and aspirate mode to facilitate sample pickup and avoid reagent dripping
  • Manual switch to prime the pump

Diligent Software Control

  • Easy-to-build digestion recipe with functional steps like reagent addition, heating, stirring, sample transfer, washing and autosampler rack preparation.
  • Offers unique functionalities like Heat to Dryness and Precipitate / Residue washing.
  • Easy-to-set automation functions resulting in quick optimisation of the whole process.
  • Capable of altering processing for individual vial in single run.
  • Allows running of different digestion recipes at same time on each block
  • Easy-to-configure variety of hot block and sample rack configurations
  • Accepts rush, urgent or stat samples during the run
  • Accepts changes in processing parameters in the run
  • Capable of continuing process after break
  • Estimates and displays digestion process time and progress
  • Prompts when reagent bottles need replacement
  • Process documentation capability

All Plastic Housing

  • Saves prime lab space with smart inbuilt fume hood
  • Perchloric-acid-Ready, detachable exhaust manifold to facilitate washing.
  • No metal parts, all plastic construction suitable for trace level sample preparation.
  • Laminar flow exhaust path for acid fume removal.
  • Positive air pressure in electronic section prevents acid corrosion.
  • Option of HEPA filter attachment.
  • Provides catchment basin for any reagent spillage.
  • Has transparent window for light illumination and visual observation.

QPrep is more than just a fancy syringe pump that is used to manually dispense reagent and just an autosampler that works with a separate syringe pump assembly. QPrep provides methodology-driven capability from a PC to handle precise reagent delivery for large number of samples in multiple racks

  • Spikes sample with internal standards
  • Performs multiple dilutions
  • Prepares calibration and QC standards
  • Prepares auto sampler racks
  • Adds reagents consistently

Offers:

  • 0.01 ml accuracy in handling reagents
  • Choice of different capacity syringes from 5 ml to 25 ml
  • 0.5 to 2 ml/sec reagent flow rate for peristaltic pump.
  • Can introduce samples pulse-free to ICP, AA, AFS, etc.
  • Capable of handling HF solutions.
  • Teflon-coated rigid graphite probe for accuracy of vial access and ease of cleaning.
  • Accepts multiple types and sizes of racks at the same time
  • Unique combined action of syringe pump and peristaltic pump delivers unmatched flexibility and sample throughput
  • Driven by user-specified methodology through integrated PC software
  • All-plastic construction for corrosion- and contamination- free operations

Configuration:

  • Accommodates 6 standard autosampler racks
  • Option of a customised rack to hold QC standards.
  • Easily configurable to accommodate wide selection of racks.
  • Option of HEPA filter enclosure.
  • Option of mobile stand to support QPrep, PC and reagent bottles.

Diligent Software Control

Digestion Block for Acid Digestion

QBlock series provides wide selection to choose appropriate digeston/heating block to increase efficiency of digestion and through put. Teflon coated graphite block and enclosure provides ability to produce contamination free results. Modular approach for touch screen base temperature controller helps increase life span of system and provides total control over 8 QBlock simultaneously.

Offers...

  • Teflon coated Graphite and anodised Aluminium heating block
  • Fast and uniformed heating from Ambient to 400°C
  • Excellent temperature uniformity of + 1 °C over all QBlock wells
  • Thermally secured from 5 sides, thus conserving energy
  • Remotely placed electronics controls
  • Choice of chemical resistant block housing, rugged Teflon coated metal or engineered plastics
  • Only digestion block in the market that reaches adequate temperatures for tri-acid treatment
  • Non-contaminating heat-sustainable Teflon®-coated sample vial carrying tray
  • Adequate sample handling capacity allows individual control over diverse groups of Samples in multiple QBlocks, resulting in increased lab efficiency
  • Upgradable to automated reagent delivery and sample work-up

Configurations...

Standard Size:   33 X 30 X 15 cm (13.125" X 11.5" X 5.875")
Large Size:          42 X 36 X 15 cm (16.5" X 14.0" X 5.875")
Heating Range:   180 °C, 230 °C and 400 °C

Vial size (ml / OD) 15 ml / 16 mm 25 ml / 22 mm 50 ml / 30 mm 100 ml / 45 mm Custom size

Standard

(12 X 8) 96
(9 X 8) 72
(7 X 6) 42 (5 X 4) 20 Available

Large

- - (9 x 8) 72 (6 X 5) 30 Available

Customisation...

Do you have heating block requirements that do not fit into any of our standard offerings? With help of our in house capabilities we can make one to fit for your need. Please ask us for a quotation on your customized heating block requirements. Customised QBlocks are available within a few weeks only at a small additional cost.

In the past we have made,

  • QBlock well to fit non conventional glass ware and microwave digestion vessels
  • QBlock with heating range to 400°C
  • High power blocks for quick heating
  • Specialised sample rack which can placed on QBlock and is used for handling test tubes during digestion

Multi Block Wireless Temperature Control for Digestions

QBlock Wireless Digestion system is the only system which can wirelessly control up to 8 QBlocks providing unparalleled temperature control, data computation and ease of operation through its touch screen based wireless controller..

  • Wireless control of up to 8 QBlocks
  • Large Color touch screen control & display
  • Controls QBlocks from anywhere within 50 meters
  • Stores numerous digestion recipes and heating profile data
  • Built in NIST traceable system calibration
  • Choice of 210 or 110 VAC configuration and Temperature sensors
  • Overheat prevention safety feature
  • PC connectivity for digestion data transfer
  • Possibility of controlling existing digestion block and hot plates
  • Saves valuable laboratory space
  • Minimizes the time spent leaning over the digestion block
  • Reduces unnecessary mess of high current cables
  • Provides true temperature regulation every second

Concurrent Display of Digestion Status for multiple QBlocks

Real-time display of temperature profile and digestion recipe

QBlock Wireless Digestion System comprises of one Controller, up to eight QBlocks accompanied by Electronics Interface box. This system provides unparalleled value and ease of operation in performing multi-step, variable temperature profile block digestions. Wireless Controller searches for active QBlocks and can load recipe program, initiate a new digestion batch and download the digestion data resident on Electronic Interface. It is the same as having eight independent block digestion systems, all performing their own digestions. Each QBlock is connected Electronics Interface box through power cable and temperature measuring sensor. The Electronics Interface box can maintain the commanded temperature profile and stores heating profile data independently even in absence of Controller

Temperature Controller

Commander-S, single channel controller provides a convenient and economic option for temperature control of digestion block.

  • Easily programmable ramp and soak times for an effective digestion of various samples.
  • Real-time target and current temperature display.
  • Convenience of altering controlling parameters on fly
  • Has very small footprint of (5" X 8")
  • Is easily configured to existing digestion block and hot plates
  • Commander-S is operated from the comfort and safety of the acid-free environment outside the fume hood.
  • Choice of 210 or 110 VAC configuration and thermocouple feedback
  • Overheat prevention safety feature